Overall alcohol consumption falling

October 12, 2007: Alcohol consumption in the UK has fallen for the second consecutive year, according to figures compiled by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) in its newly published Statistical Handbook 2007.

The fall of 3.3% in 2006 is the largest in 15 years and comes on top of a 2% drop in 2005. In total, consumption has fallen by 5.3% over the past two years — since the introduction of the new Licensing Act.

The BBPA analysis, based on data compiled from HM Revenue & Customs, is certain to provide pause for thought amid the current debate about UK drinking behaviour, and the impact of the change in the UK’s licensing laws in 2005.

Levels of alcohol consumption are now the lowest for five years. The fall over the last year is the largest for a decade and a half.

The amount we drink is now 8.9 litres per person per year, compared with 9.4 litres in 2004. There have also been significant shifts in what we drink over the past 25 years. In 1980, 60% of what we drank was beer, 24% was spirits and 14%wine. By 1990 that had changed – 5% was beer, 22% spirits and 18% wine. Now beer accounts for 43% of consumption, spirits 20%, with wine increasing to 29%.

Mark Hastings, director of communications at the BBPA, said: "These figures indicate that, contrary to perceptions, the amount we drink as a nation is falling. Since the Licensing Act we have seen a noticeable drop in consumption — the second annual fall in a row, and the largest fall for 15 years.

"Although it is too early to say if this is a long-term trend, these are certainly very interesting figures in view of the intense public debate in recent months about Britain’s drinking habits. While a small minority continue to use alcohol in an irresponsible way, it’s clear that the change in the nation’s licensing laws hasn’t unleashed an apocalyptic ‘free for all’ in alcohol consumption.

"Most people are beginning to heed the responsible drinking message and we are seeing this clearly in these figures. Clearly with alcohol misuse still an issue, what these figures also emphasise is the importance of policies that target misuse, rather than consumption itself.

“The figures also show that 12 other countries in the European Union drink more than we do in the UK. These hard facts contradict the popular perception. We are not the worst – and it is not getting worse."

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